Honors College Senior Thesis Presentations
Contribution of Taxodium distichum “knees” to greenhouse gas emissions in a bottomland hardwood wetland
Academic Level at Time of Presentation
Senior
Major
Biology
Minor
Chemistry
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Dr. Jessica Moon
Presentation Format
Oral Presentation
Abstract/Description
While greenhouse gases can be emitted by wetland flora, such as bald cypress (Taxodium distichum), little is understood about what drives variability in their emissions. In this study, we focused on the “knee” structures of Taxodium distichum and their role in emitting CH4 and CO2. We are measuring gas fluxes on two size classes of knees (i.e., short < 60 cm and tall > 60 cm) at three heights (i.e., 20, 40, and on tall knees 60 cm) within a channel (n = 6) and floodplain (n = 6) stretch of Clarks River National Wildlife Refuge. Initial measurements were collected on the hottest, driest day of 2022 (September 20), ranging from 0.12 to 2.68 nmol CH4 m-2 sec-1 and 0.48 to 6.13 μmol CO2 m-2 sec-1. There was a difference in CO2 emissions on taller knees, with higher rates at 20 cm compared to 40 (p-value = 0.078) or 60 cm (p-value = 0.026). Variation in CH4 emissions could not be explained by knee size, measurement height, or location. CH4 emissions were in line with rates found in a floodplain swamp in Georgia but were significantly lower than emissions found in cypress domes of Florida.
Spring Scholars Week 2023 Event
Honors College Senior Thesis Presentations
Contribution of Taxodium distichum “knees” to greenhouse gas emissions in a bottomland hardwood wetland
While greenhouse gases can be emitted by wetland flora, such as bald cypress (Taxodium distichum), little is understood about what drives variability in their emissions. In this study, we focused on the “knee” structures of Taxodium distichum and their role in emitting CH4 and CO2. We are measuring gas fluxes on two size classes of knees (i.e., short < 60 cm and tall > 60 cm) at three heights (i.e., 20, 40, and on tall knees 60 cm) within a channel (n = 6) and floodplain (n = 6) stretch of Clarks River National Wildlife Refuge. Initial measurements were collected on the hottest, driest day of 2022 (September 20), ranging from 0.12 to 2.68 nmol CH4 m-2 sec-1 and 0.48 to 6.13 μmol CO2 m-2 sec-1. There was a difference in CO2 emissions on taller knees, with higher rates at 20 cm compared to 40 (p-value = 0.078) or 60 cm (p-value = 0.026). Variation in CH4 emissions could not be explained by knee size, measurement height, or location. CH4 emissions were in line with rates found in a floodplain swamp in Georgia but were significantly lower than emissions found in cypress domes of Florida.